Watered Down Bead Release and Cracking Beads

clasicat · August 09, 2009, 03:53:54 PM

Ok have had quite a few hours torch time this weekend and have made about 20 beads ( doesn't sound alot but i do just make focals!) Out of the 20 all but 2 have cracked

I have been racking my brain as to the cause of this I know usually it's a case of them cooling too quickley/unevenly and yes I have had this happen with pressed beads but never with my long focals.
Now the only thing I can think of that I have done differently is I have watered down my bead release a few times recently trying to make it go abit further $:-\$ could this cause my beads to crack if the release is too watery?

I am so flaming annoyed and tearful as I have wasted so much glass and shards it's heartbreaking.
Anyone any ideas??

Veebee · August 09, 2009, 04:04:01 PM

Oh, that's such a shame..you must be gutted!
I'm not sure about bead release, but cuold you have accidentally used a different coe or an incompatible glass? Or a new glass for that matter?
Could you try to heal them?

clasicat · August 09, 2009, 04:09:29 PM

Don't think it's the glass as I only use Effetre or CIM they are breaking as I take them off the mandrel which is making me think it's the bead release

Veebee · August 09, 2009, 04:47:54 PM

Ooh, I'm not sure then

Bit of a puzzler that one. Sorry, I'm no help at all....I'm sure someone cleverer will be along to actually help soon.
Hope you sort it out!
xx

Mary · August 09, 2009, 04:54:44 PM

If you are losing so many, could it be your kiln? I check my schedule when i switch mine on, after the time the controller started skipping a step. Upsetting whatever it is!

Josephine · August 09, 2009, 04:58:24 PM

The only problem I usually get with watered down release is the release crumbling away if you flame dry, never cracked beads. Maybe Mary is right you need to check your kiln.

clasicat · August 09, 2009, 05:04:01 PM

I batch anneal so they are breaking before i even put them in the kiln $:-\$
Thanks for all your suggestions maybe it is just the fact they are cooling too quickly but why it's happened to so many this weekend is beyond me

June · August 09, 2009, 06:20:45 PM

How annoying Claire. I batch anneal, too, and I've had the odd session where I've lost a few and not sure why. It could be you've thinned your bead release down a bit too much - I have done that myself and ended up redipping a few mandrels before today. Do you use vermiculite or fibre blanket? Personally I prefer vermiculite, but that is personal preference.

turnedlight · August 09, 2009, 06:26:43 PM

I water down my bead release a lot, but the worst it does is sometime break up whilst making a bead.. if you have a kiln right there, have you thought about annealing as you go? I always have, seems to be fine..

Mary · August 09, 2009, 07:08:49 PM

If you think it's because your release is too thin, you could double dip your mandrels?

theflyingbedstead · August 09, 2009, 08:03:16 PM

We had a problem with bead release cracking at Diana East's class last week. She had new mandrels and cleaned them by heating them up in the kiln instead of using wire wool, which is what she believed was the cause of the problems we were having then. But it did lead to a discussion...she thought that there may be a problem with watering down bead release with tap water; Diana uses distilled water. I have had a nightmare today with mine cracking too, and I use tap water. I think that the humid hot weather also plays it's part, as today has been sticky, and the last time my bead release misbehaved the weather was similar. I also have problems if I overheat the bead release, particularly on hollows.

Maybe there's bead release pixies....

ejralph · August 10, 2009, 07:34:37 AM

It could be the bead release.

I tried a different bead release once and had a lot of beads cracking along the mandrel and I know it was because of the release.

My only vague theory as to why this happens must be something to do with expansion / contraction of the mandrel and how much the layer of bead release insulates the mandrel from the heat and prevents this happening

As I said, very much a theory that the answer lies there somewhere, as I am no scientist.

I have also found CIM very heat-fussy anyway. Often found CIM just cracking even in the flame on me. I know everyone else loves the stuff, but I couldn't be doing with its fussy ways and sold my remaining stash off.
Is it possible you are using a new batch of one of your CIM colours that is maybe behaving a little differently to how it does usually? Or any other new colours added to the mix? I found CIM so incompatible, even with itself, that for me, any bead made with CIM was Russian Roulette.

Sorry to hear all the beads broke - that is heartbreaking. Hope you get to the bottom of it.

Emma

Trudi · August 10, 2009, 08:20:51 AM

Hi

Were you encasing any of your CIM - I've found that some colours do not like to be encased!

BTW - if I add water to my bead release I always use boiled water.

clasicat · August 10, 2009, 01:53:06 PM

Thanks for all your replies

well I have dipped 5 more mandrels in the bead release I have got and I will have another go this afternoon. if it happens again I think it's time to invest in some new bead release before I waste even more glass lol

suzanneC · August 10, 2009, 08:27:56 PM

I have been having the same problem with my focals, they are all fine until I take them off the mandrels, I also batch anneal and they are fine when I take them off, but crack later, and they are the best ones that I have done - I'm gutted. How do you 'heal' them please?
Sue